For the Heart: Special Olympics Dinner

Last Thursday, I volunteered to help at the SpecialOlympicsofUtahHallofFameGalaDinnerandLiveAuction. (Couldn’t say all of that in one breath if I tried to include the spaces.) This event confirmed my theory that people with “special needs” are really those with “special hearts & special blessings.” It seems like God uses them to remind us “normal people” just how much we miss out on by being so “smart.”

I said, “Hi! How are you?”

The evening began at the coat check where I met “Lindsey.” (She has Down’s Syndrome.)

She replied, “I’(m) fine, thank you.”

“Ooh! I see you have a medal [around your neck].”

“Yesth. It’s for volleyball. I p(l)ay volleyball.”

“Really? Are you pretty good at it?”

“Yesth, I am.” (Some people can get away with “bragging.”)

Later on, during the evening’s program, the brother/boyfriend of Lindsey happened to be sitting near where I was standing. He caught my eye and gave a BIG smile! Then, he leaned back and pulled out his THREE medals from under his suit jacket and spre-e-e-ad them out. With a look at them and a look toward me, I could see that he was SO proud of his accomplishments. The smile on his face was priceless!

I winked and gave him a big thumbs-up. And I couldn’t help a huge smile myself.

Shortly after that, I ended up sitting right behind him. He looked back with a big grin and passed his cell phone back to me. On the text screen, he had typed this:

Finally, this video was played for the audience. It speaks for itself.

(If you can't see it, go to www.youtube.com and search "Downs Syndrome Fantastic."

All the News

B-Wow am I late in posting! It’s been two months since my last “substantial” post. Just think, though, if its two months ‘til the next post, that’ll be Christmas Day! Makes it seem not so bad, right?

Here we go…the last two months in 50 words or less. [Feel free to read down the page for more information, or just click on the links that look interesting.]

Kayaking & Cliff-Diving in Causey Reservoir Started school Falling in love with HUNTSVILLE, UT Gonna be an aunt!!! September 11^th, 2011 Memorial Candy Sale, Sweet, Candy Sale Fall Colors Tour Special Meetings with Charles Sanders & Paul Schwanke Dinner on the Grounds & Pig Roast Sunday Filling up the Bus

Kayaking & Cliff-Diving

(Causey Reservoir Overlook)

As a last-ditch effort to soak up as much “summer” as possible before being confined to a 20’x20’ classroom, four of us took an afternoon to explore Causey Reservoir. I had heard about it, but like Solomon’s wisdom to the Queen of Sheba, hear-say had not told the ½!

This place was tucked up in the mountains behind our house. We drove up the canyon, turned right at the old run-down barn “where we got lost that one time” [Whoops! I think we passed it! Let’s turn the truck & trailer around on a 2-lane highway!], followed another pick-up truck to the dam, and squeezed in behind the line of cars parallel-parked on the side of a one-lane dirt road. Yeah! It’s that kind of place.

We were SO lucky to have been able to borrow 2 kayaks and a canoe from some friends. [These friends promised that I’d be wanting kayaks of my own by the end of the day. Boy were they right!] This made for a red neck-like caravan on the way up, but we fit in with most of the crowd by the time we reached the reservoir.

Once on the water, I discovered the incredible adventure of kayaking – first time. It is truly a delight to kayak…on a “lake”…with amazing beauty all around. (I was used to canoeing on the Mississippi River.) What a welcome change!

On the way back to the “beach,” Charity & I determined to TRY “cliff-diving”…from 30 feet above the water.

(The cliff we jumped from)

The last time I did this was at Potato Creek on family vacation…@ least 12 years ago!!! Apparently there’s a trick to landing properly once you hit the water! Otherwise, you only smack (very hard & very loud) on your back. It leaves BIG bruises and tender spots that can last for over a month! [Don’t ask how I know these details.]

Nothing, however, could dampen the thrill of discovering this place. What a gorgeous place! We’ll definitely be back!

[This message was brought to you by Utahtourism.org -- Not really, but it could nave been. ;-)]

Falling In Love With Huntsville, UT

At the beginning of our school year, we took the teens to Huntsville Park for a cookout & then to Snowbasin for Frisbee Golf. This was the first day that I absolutely fell in love with Huntsville, Utah. The downtown area is so peaceful, small, and cute.

A few weeks later, the mayor of Huntsville came to our 9/11 memorial service. What a treat to meet Mayor Jim Truett & his wife. They were so kind, and they compared their town to “our own little Mayberry.” I was hooked.

Shortly after that time, some friends sampled “Huntsville Bar-be-cue” and declared it taste-worthy.

Of course, this came up on the radar as the next, most-eligible eating place for us foodies.

We were pleasantly impressed with the casual but beautiful setting.

The grounds around the place were very inviting. And the food…well, the food was just great! I’d give it 4½ stars out of 5.

9.11.2011 - Never Forget

(Flag @ half-mast)

On September 11^th of this year, our church remembered the 10^th anniversary of the attacks on America in 2001. It was very moving to view pictures of the event, recall the memories and thoughts that passed through our minds at that time, and also to pass that on to the children who were very young or not even born then.

(Color Guard from Hill Air Force Base)

In addition to our personal remembrances, the memorial was an excellent opportunity to share this time with many of our local and state elected officials. It was a pleasure to have Mayor Godfrey of Ogden, Mayor Truett of Huntsville, several mayoral candidates, city council members, an attorney for the Alliance Defense Fund, and many others at our church.

(Decorated for the event)

John Stormer, famed author of None Dare Call It Treason, was our speaker for the day. As an esteemed conservative in Utah, Mr. Stormer’s address was well-received.

(Pastor Mallinak & Mayor Godfrey)

The greatest privilege of all was to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with these guests. We continue to pray for the salvation of the Mormon community around us, in particular. It is difficult to watch a culture of guilt and good works carry so many like a rushing river into the Devil’s Hell. Yet, we are confident in the power of God to overcome even in this stronghold of the Devil.

(God BLESS America!)

Candy Sale, Sweet Candy Sale

The sweetness comes because we sell chocolate…which is sweet. Otherwise, this is a difficult week-and-a-half. This year was made much easier, however, by near-perfect weather. And, of course, I love the opportunity to revisit Park City and Heber City – a study in contradictions.

Park City is upper-upper class, a bit snooty, very rich, and terribly inviting. Heber City is small town, a bit redneck, and dusty. Gotta love them both!

Pig Roast & Dinner On the Grounds

This past week was a “big” day for our church. We had the tail end of our evangelistic meetings coinciding with the middle of a bus push.

After a reviving week of nightly preaching services, we were all encouraged to invite friends, family, and neighbors to hear a Gospel message on Sunday morning. As a bonus, we had a pig roast & dinner on the grounds. (Sadly, I did not get any pictures.)

Though many visitors were not able to attend, many did come and listen to the preaching. It was a thrill to hear of several trusting Christ as their Savior afterwards. Isn’t that what it’s all about? God is still on the Throne & He still draws men to Himself. What an encouragement & answer to prayer! Praise the Lord!